title: Signs and symptoms of ocular surface status in glaucoma patients switched from timolol 0.5% to brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination: a 6-month efficacy and tolerability, multicenter, open-label prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact of switching glaucoma patients from timolol 0.5% to brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination (Brinz/Tim FC) on quality of life and on ocular surface status; to assess efficacy after the switch.
  
  
  METHODS
  6-month, multicenter, open-label, prospective, switch study in 119 early to moderate glaucoma patients. Intraocular pressure (IOP), tear film break-up time (TF-BUT), fluorescein staining and Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) questionnaire were recorded at baseline and after 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median (interquartile range) IOP significantly decreased from 20 to 16 mmHg, independent of sex and age. Most patients (95.8%) reached an IOP < 18 mmHg. TF-BUT improved, with a negative weak correlation to age at baseline and at 6 months. The percentage of patients with no fluorescein staining improved. The quality of life recorded by GSS also improved, being related both to age and corneal staining.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brinz/Tim FC is effective and well tolerated. In this study, patients switched to Brinz/Tim FC obtained further reduction in IOP with no effects on ocular surface status and improved quality of life perception: a better quality of life could determine a better adherence to prescribed therapy.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Clinic of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy. gemma.rossi.md@gmail.com
authors.forename: Gemma Caterina Maria
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tinelli
authors.forename: Gian Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Pasinetti
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fusetti
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pallavicini
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stringa
authors.forename: Sauro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vacchi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stringa
authors.forename: Paolo Emilio
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Bianchi
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013843:Thiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013843:Thiazines; D013999:Timolol; C111827:brinzolamide